THE signatures of hundreds of locals calling for the government to take action on climate change, have been delivered to the office of New England MP Barnaby Joyce.
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Tamworth Parents and Friends for Climate Action (TPFCA) have been busy gathering the signatures of more than 800 New England residents, as part of Independent MP Zali Steggall's climate change bill, which will be voted on in Parliament on Monday.
TPFCA's Eliza Weekes said the aim of the petition was to ensure Australia had a goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
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"We're here to show our support for the bill and let our local MP Barnaby Joyce know that we want climate action," Eliza said.
"All up, we got 810 signatures from people in the New England electorate and we are also delivering more than 100 letters on the subject from people across the region to Barnaby as well."
The Tamworth mother said it was crucial the bill was passed to help future generations.
"We have lots of scientific evidence to say climate change is real and it's impacting us today, let alone future generations," she said.
"You can see how the carbon levels and how they have grown over the years since the industrial revolution.
"If we don't aim to reduce those emissions soon, it is going to get out of control and to a place where we can't reverse it.
"We've just got to try and get our government into gear and onboard with us and support this bill when it is raised as well."
Mr Joyce said while he supported the group's right to petition the government, he was unlikely to support Ms Steggall's bill.
"I 100 per cent support their right to petition because it is part of the democratic process," Mr Joyce said.
"However, I think Zali's views represent a more white-collar approach in her own electorate, which I don't believe aligns with the blue-collar approach of Tamworth.
"I think Zali is very good at pointing the finger elsewhere, but if someone was to suggest building a wind project, nuclear power project or something similar in her electorate, she would have a problem with it.
"I respect people's rights to follow the democratic process and to have a say, but I have to act in the best interests of everyone in the electorate and the thing they need most is cheap, reliable power."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
